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Re: 1937 Fourteen Steering

Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:04 am
by luli
The purpose of the wedge is to reduce the castor angle. In case the car wonders (quite common) turning it around will increase the castor angle and will result in a self-centering steering. See more here: https://wp.me/pXLKy-4iX

Re: 1937 Fourteen Steering

Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:24 pm
by TheBigE300
Hi Mike,
thanks for your input.
I have not dismantled the front end, just the steering parts at the moment, the car had a total rebuild/renovation 1989 - 1990 photo album to prove came with the car along with loads of history. I guess the owners (around six) in between the rebuild and my purchase just didn’t care for the car as well as they might have, never mind.
I’ll have to check all the measurements like you say and no, I can find no lubricating holes in the springs, I had assumed they were genuine as oil was appearing on the top leaf, must be the oil finding it’s way there from the shackles.
It was my intention to have all four springs reconditioned as I found the N/S rear has a broken leaf when I replaced the rear wheel/axle seal and bearing - somebody painted over the diff breather hole. I just want to get the car running before tackling the suspension. Funny, the more you fix, the more problems you find!
The wedges between the axle and springs are the correct way round, something appears to be correct anyway.

Onwards & upwards as they say.

Re: 1937 Fourteen Steering

Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:28 pm
by TheBigE300
Luli,
Thanks for the caster angle info, is there no limit to your knowledge!

Thanks again
Eric

Re: 1937 Fourteen Steering

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 8:58 am
by TonyG
Eric,
Don’t be too hard on past owners; few people actually undertake the repairs themselves on their classic cars and rely on local garages or ‘specialists’. In good faith they have probably paid to get work done, but no guarantee it was done correctly! Fortunately these old Rovers are tough and forgiving, allowing them to carry on for years. It’s the same level of technology that made the Land Rover so successful!

Regarding the springs; might be worth checking with the club spares to see if there is one there to replace your broken one. Failing that, I’ve found Jones Springs to be very helpful for replacements and they also offer a repair service. I’ve written at length in previous posts how to replace the rear springs. Not difficult but care must be taken.

Tony.

Re: 1937 Fourteen Steering

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:20 pm
by TheBigE300
Fair comment on the past owners Tony, it’s just that my old dad used to say “if you want a job done right son, do it yourself” but I guess not everybody is or can be like that.
I did get a reasonable sounding cost of repair/reconditioning all four from Brost Forge, Holloway. Obviously when I’m ready I’ll try Jones also. When they are off the car I’ll measure and check if they do really need re-tensioning - I just feel sure they will have got tired over the years.
I’m just getting all the info ready at the moment and all you guys have helped me a great deal, so when I’m able, I can get going, but at the moment I do have a couple of other family commitments taking up my time.

Thanks all
Eric

Re: 1937 Fourteen Steering

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:54 am
by digcot65
Morning Ive just bought a Rover 12 to restore. One of the main items to see to is the steering,there wa 4 inches of play at the wheel . I took the box into ICS steering last week,for a rebuild so when I have it back Ill let you know how it is Len